I am writing to express my concerns about the polygraph "testing" that is increasingly
being used to screen government employees and job applicants. I first became
concerned about polygraph testing when I was falsely accused of deception during
a pre-employment polygraph for AGENCY NAME HERE.

At first, I was prepared to accept that I was one of just a few cases of random
error-but upon researching polygraphy and learning the truth about it, I was
utterly outraged. I learned that polygraphy, like astrology and phrenology,
is "junk science." The list of legitimate scientific groups that have official
statements condemning the polygraph is extensive. It includes the American Medical
Association, the American Psychological Association, the Federation of American
Scientists, and the Society of Professional Scientists and Engineers. Even most
government officials who support the polygraph do not maintain that the process
is valid. They merely claim that the polygraph should remain because it "encourages
admissions." This same convoluted logic could also be used to defend physical
beatings if they were a part of the hiring process.

There is a tremendous misconception that individuals opposing polygraph "testing"
are not security conscious. In actuality, the opposite is true. The polygraph
is a detriment-not an asset-to national security. I am not aware of any documented
case of a spy actually being caught by a polygraph "chartgazer." This is likely
because those engaged in espionage-like Aldrich Ames-have received the simple
training needed to beat the device. In addition to creating a false sense of
security, the polygraph is left to destroy good and decent people.

High error rates, along with the tremendous (and often realized) potential
for abuse served as the impetus for the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of
1988. Unfortunately, the government exempted its own workers and applicants
from the protections afforded by this legislation. I urge you to introduce comprehensive
new anti-polygraph legislation that provides protection for ALL Americans. Complete
legislation would address the situations of those who have already been damaged
by the polygraph, by purging hiring "black lists" and re-instating the employment
applications of those who have been denied employment solely because of this
pseudoscientific procedure.